Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday, September 25 denied he is involved in any ghost or anomalies in the government’s flood control projects as alleged by a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary.

This, after former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified at the continuation of the Senate’s investigation into the flood control project anomalies the alleged involvement of Escudero, former senators Nancy Binay, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Rep. Zaldy Co in the mess.

“I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo in today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter—and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” Escudero said in a statement.

“It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators,” Escudero said.

Escudero also lamented why the involvement of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez are not being highlighted in the Senate probe.

“Puro talaga senador ang tinuturo?! Nasaan si Zaldy Co? Nasaan na si Rep. Martin Romualdez sa lahat ng ito?!Nasaan ang mga kasabwat nya?! Kung babasehan natin ang testimonya ni Usec. Bernardo, wala sila lahat kasalanan o kinalaman dito. Di naman ata ito kapani-paniwala (Are they really pointing fingers only at senators?! Where is Zaldy Co? Where is Rep. Martin Romualdez in all this?! Where are his accomplices?! If we base our testimony on Usec. Bernardo, they are all innocent or have nothing to do with this. I don't think this is credible),” he said.

Escudero further slammed what he described is a blatant attempt to divert and veer the discussion away from the real culprits.

“Maging ganun pa man, haharapin at lalabanan ko ito at maghahain ng karampatang demanda laban kay Usec. Bernardo sa mga binitiwan nyang walang saysay at basehan na paratang (Even so, I will face and fight this and file a proper lawsuit against Usec. Bernardo for the baseless and baseless allegations he has made),” the senator said.

“For more than 27 years in public service, I have never once been charged with corruption. That record speaks for itself. I believe that when all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished,” he stressed.

Sen. Nancy Binay, in a separate statement, also expressed dismay at her being linked to the flood control anomalies.

“Nagugulat at nalulungkot ako na dinadamay ako sa mga anomalya ng DPWH. Walang katotohanan ang mga bintang sa akin (I am surprised and saddened that I am being implicated in the anomalies of the DPWH. The accusations against me are untrue),” Binay said.

“Tahimik po tayong nagtatrabaho bilang Mayor ng Makati. Nakakagulat na nagagamit tayo para ipanglihis sa mga tunay na kailangan panagutin sa issue na ito (We work quietly as the Mayor of Makati. It is shocking that we are being used to divert attention from those who really need to be held accountable for this issue),” she said.

“Madaling magbigay ng mga mali at mapanirang salaysay (It is easy to give false and destructive accounts). But my performance in public service has always been above board and beyond a shadow of doubt,” added the former senator.